Chapter 51

Chapter: Summoning the Empress

The sudden system prompt lit up Kurosawa Ren's eyes.

"I almost forgot about this. I didn't think all that junk would ever be useful again."

With a casual wave of his hand, he selected the "exchange" option.

"Personal items: [Spider Silk Poison Sac], [Death Umbilical Cord], [Evil Horn], and other miscellaneous materials will be automatically exchanged."

Based on their value, Ren received a total of 800 Magic Prisms.

Originally, he'd been eyeing a rare material called "Crazy Residue" for the exchange. But the system informed him it, like the "Heart of the Barbarian God," could be used to forge a divine weapon—so Ren decided to hang onto it for now.

With the integration of several Spirit Base fragments and the dragon blood physique now enhanced by the Dragon Vein, his strength surged once more.

He felt a crackle of thunder echo from deep within his muscles and bones as his body began to transform again.

Thick, iron-hardened scales began forming over his entire body like armor, making him appear both formidable and slightly monstrous.

A familiar yet vastly more intense burning sensation ignited inside him.

Even though he wasn't actively channeling his battle mode, his heart thundered in his chest, and a flood of dragon blood factor surged through his veins—like it was being drawn toward something.

Then, suddenly—

As if a dam had burst, the compressed dragon blood ignited into a blazing force that surged through his body like fire.

His pupils briefly transformed into golden slits—serpentine and piercing—before returning to normal a few seconds later.

His muscles swelled, dense and well-defined. From some angles, he now looked like a dragon stretching its limbs after centuries of slumber.

"Not bad at all," Ren murmured, studying his reflection in the mirror. "With this dragon-scale armor, and my 'Bulletproof Enhancement' skill activated, I could probably tank a few rounds of modern heavy artillery without flinching."

And with his Servant Spirit Base, his power was only going to keep growing.

"Master..."

A soft, melodic voice broke the silence.

Floating in the air, mercury began writhing and reshaping rapidly, eventually forming the graceful figure of Trimmawu, his ever-loyal mercury maid.

Ren's eyes traced her updated appearance.

Following her full evolution, not only had her facial expressions and skin texture become eerily lifelike, but her overall figure had also become more refined and alluring. Long silver-gray legs, a narrow waist, and an exaggerated bust gave her the elegant form of a mature woman.

Trimmawu tilted her head and said in a breathy, seductive tone, "It seems you require my assistance?"

Ren rubbed the back of his head, looking sheepish.

His enhanced dragon physique had shredded his clothes on the spot, and now his entire body was covered in gleaming dragon scales.

The raw energy coursing through him made him feel even stronger—almost supernaturally so.

"I guess I do," he admitted with a chuckle.

Trimmawu curtsied softly, lifting the hem of her maid uniform before walking over to him obediently.

Following the magical instructions hardwired into her, she wasn't flustered or shy. She naturally positioned herself behind him and began to massage his shoulders with practiced precision.

Author's Note: Skills like "Magic C," "Bulletproof Enhancement A," "Iron Heart Sneer," and "Mind's Eye (True) B" originate from Kuroe Palace and Archer EMIYA, respectively.

Chapter 61: Hayasaka Ai – Watching Her Lady Taken Away?!

"Kuji..."

The sun had long risen, its light caressed by a gentle breeze that warmed the estate.

Ren had just finished his second morning workout.

"Man, I don't even feel tired. That's the power of this dragon blood physique."

He tucked the still-damp "stick" back into his pants pocket.

Now that his physique had been restructured, the most immediate change was a massive increase in stamina.

One round? Ten rounds? Not a problem at all.

Gulp...

Trimmawu floated toward him again. Her mercury form enveloped a certain hot liquid and shimmered briefly before she exhaled it in a silver mist from her lips.

Her range of shapeshifting abilities had increased significantly after her final evolution.

With these unique transformations, Ren had successfully fulfilled several previously "impossible" ideas from his wildest fantasies.

"Master, huh?!"

At that moment, Yukino Shindong stepped out of the bathroom, her silky white hair still damp as she floated toward him in her ethereal state.

She narrowed her deep blue eyes, focusing on Ren with curiosity and awe.

"Is it just me, or… does your aura feel different now?" she asked dreamily.

"What kind of different?" Ren grinned.

"I don't know how to describe it exactly," she said, gently tapping her chin. "It's like… you have this majestic, royal vibe now."

Due to the dragon blood physique recalibration, Ren had grown noticeably taller, and even his facial features had become sharper and more striking.

With his lean frame, refined face, and the mysterious presence granted by his inner dragon, his charm level had basically maxed out.

Later, at breakfast...

Ren and Yukino entered the dining room together.

Just as Ren sat down, Mr. Pan, his adorable spiritual cat companion, leapt onto his lap and nuzzled his hand affectionately, purring softly.

Ever since Ren had begun feeding the little female cat with his spiritual energy, she had grown smarter—and chubbier.

Curled up lazily in his lap, her tail flicked occasionally like a happy little metronome.

She was starting to resemble a chubby yellow propane tank.

"Master, breakfast today is a European spread," Trimmawu announced.

A moment later, she emerged in her eight-armed form, carrying a massive table loaded with plates of beautifully arranged dishes.

"Meow!"

Mr. Pan, startled by Trimmawu's new form, yelped and bolted from Ren's lap, hiding under the table.

"She doesn't seem to like me very much," Trimmawu said with a hint of hurt in her voice.

"Don't take it personally," Ren said, patting her shoulder. "She just needs a little more time to get used to you."

As they began eating, Ren pulled out the three recently acquired gift cards: [Steel Forging], [Rune Stone], and [Capsule Servant].

He hadn't tried Rune Stone yet.

Touching the card gently, a brilliant stream of light flickered—and five intricate symbols representing Rune Magic imprinted themselves into his mind.

In Norse mythology, Rune Magic originated from Odin himself.

In Fate/Grand Order, heroic spirits like Cu Chulainn and Scathach also use Rune magic (due to an early writing error by Nasu, confusing Rune Magic with Ogham script—but hey, it works).

Ren opened his palms.

Five glowing, rotating Rune symbols hovered in the air above his hands, radiating subtle but powerful energy.

These runes could be used individually, in combos, or even taught to others.

Seeing the mystical symbols spin in midair, both Yukino and Trimmawu looked on with quiet fascination.

"Master, I'm sensing… decay," Yukino whispered, eyes wide.

One of the crimson runes radiated a dangerous aura that even she—an ancient yokai—found unsettling.

"That's probably the Rune of Death," Ren explained calmly. "You're a being of life in this world, so it's natural to feel discomfort around it."

Rune Magic came from the Age of the Gods—it held power far beyond modern sorcery.

Used wisely, it could turn the tide of battle in an instant.

After admiring the runes a while longer, Ren activated the [Steel Forging] gift card.

Almost immediately, his muscles contracted and his blood flow surged briefly.

Its effects were minor—meant more for training than transformation—but still useful.

After breakfast, Ren descended into his basement magic workshop.

He took the [Capsule Servant] and placed it gently on the summoning circle.

Then, he began the familiar incantation:

"I hereby swear—

My body shall be your vessel, and your fate shall be bound to my sword.

Abiding by the summons of the Holy Grail…

From the Wheel of Restraint, Guardian of the Balance, appear!"

With a blinding flash, magic power poured from his core into the ritual array. Light flared up, engulfing him in radiant white brilliance.

"Did it work?"

As the glow gradually faded, a small figure appeared within the circle.

The standard Capsule Servant deck included Rin Tohsaka, Shirou Emiya, Gilgamesh, Jeanne, Altria, Red Archer, Cu Chulainn, Nero, and Saber Alter.

But Ren's deck was different.

All the male Servants had vanished.

Only the female ones remained.

Whoosh—

The little figure landed gracefully at Ren's feet.

She flipped her golden hair and struck a bold pose, hands on hips.

"Servant Saber—Nero Claudius—answers your call!"

"Heh! Rejoice, mage! You're lucky I answered. Clearly, you're a man of culture!"

Ren blinked.

Nero?

Of all the possibilities, he'd summoned the Empress of the Roman Empire on his very first try.

"Yes, yes, it's me," Nero huffed with pride.

"Now go ahead—admire me, praise me! I graciously allow you to bask in my glory!"